India vs England, 1st T20I at Kolkata, IND vs ENG, Jan 22 2025 - Match Result

10.26pm So, that's a wrap from a deeply one-sided opening contest. England showed glimmers, particularly through Buttler, Archer and the pace of Wood, but India were formidable in all facets of their play. And if that was a 7 out of 10 performance from Varun, then beware the full ten! England's middle order looked broadly clueless against his tight-lined overspin. Much improvement is needed if this five-match series is to be a contest to rival their easily overlooked humdinger in the Covid winter of 2021.

Join us again in Chennai on Saturday for match two of this series. From Miller, Shashank and the team, thanks and goodnight!

Oh, and in answer to Tom's query from earlier, Sampath has the final verdict on Gus Atkinson's night to remember forget.

"Gus Atkinson is the first player to strike at less than 30 and concede at an economy of 18+ in a men's T20 (Min: 10 balls faced and 10 balls bowled)... ouch

The Player of the Match is Varun Chakaravarthy: "I'm used to seeing such pitches in the IPL, it is for the seamers but the length I bowl it's helpful too. Keep it from their arc, holding a bit. Every over, bowling to a batsman like Jos is definitely challenging, but with God's grace I was successful.Extracting more bounce, because I cannot beat batsmen with side-spin, only bounce. Still more work to do. Only 7 out of 10."

Suryakumar Yadav: "The energy after we won the toss set the benchmark. Bowlers had plans, executed, and the way we batted was icing on the cake. We did the same in South Africa, Hardik had responsibility to bowl new ball so cushion to play the extra spinner. Varun's preparations are on point, and Arshdeep is taking the extra responsibility. There's a lot of freedom given, we want to play a bit different. The fielding is one area we've been working really hard. Let's take those half chances and make a difference."

Here's Jos Buttler: "There was a little in the wicket early on, didn't expect that, but if you came through that phase it was a good pitch and a fast-scoring ground. Some really good players in there, we'll be better for the run-out. Jof looked good, superstar, looked threatening, Mark Wood bowled fast, exciting. We want to be aggressive and watchable, but venue to venue got to assess conditions. Enjoyment of the game is always there, I'm enjoying the environment, I'm a big McCullum fan, always have been. Enjoying working with him."

10.06pm Abhishek spoke very well I thought, confident and fluent, a bit like his batting! But clearly this team has licence to do it their own way, and what a way it was tonight. Samson ignited the chase and Tilak Varma helped shut it down, but a word too for the bowlers. Arshdeep's swing and pace up top wrecked England's powerplay, and Varun Chakaravarthy's tight-lined spin proved particularly illegible for their middle-order.

Presentations coming up in a mo.

Siddhesh: "As good as Abhishek has been the POTM should be between Varun and Arshdeep for me. Maybe Varun will shade it for his double wicket over and eventually getting rid of Buttler. "

Abhishek Sharma: "I wanted to express myself, special mention to captain and coach, the freedom they have given us as youngsters is tremendous. It was sticking a bit, double-paced, but the way our bowlers bowled was good, thought we'd chase 160-170. Sanju and I talk as partners, I enjoy at the other end. When I came for the first time in the India team, my plan was simple, play like I played in IPL. But never seen an environement like this, express yourself, hit your shots, even from the first ball. I practice my trigger movements before the match, I knew they'd bowl short and check my patience."

9.59pm Well, that was comprehensive. England's total never looked like being enough, especially given how fluent their only successful batter, Jos Buttler had been, and so it proved. Abhishek provided an eight-sixes masterclass, and that was that!

Shubham has the sorry stat of the night:

Most balls left in a successful run chase for India vs England:

43 balls - chasing 133, Kolkata, Today

13 balls - chasing 158, Pune, 2012

13 balls - chasing 165, Ahmedabad, 2021

Pratik Soholkar: "To me, Jaiswal and Abhishek should open for India and Samson should bat at 3 and Surya at 4..dangerous batting line up for sure.."

Tom: "on the Cricinfo player stats per game, has anyone ever had a worst game (more minus point contribution) than Gus Atkinson?" It's harsh, but it has to count as one of the most ghastly outings in history

Thanks Shashank. Pre-season nets with the Camel are calling! Here's Atkinson

Over to Miller to see this through. Looks like he can have a hit out at the golf course himself this evening if he wishes to, thanks to the early finish

KK: "Someone earlier mentioned what would happening to India's opening pair today once Gill and Jaiswal are in the mix… I don't think Gill should be starting at all. Nobody benches Abhishek Sharma the way he has played for India, for me. "